South African MPs have expressed frustration over the nearly two-year delay in appointing a deputy public protector. On Thursday, the National Assembly approved Advocate Dinkie Dube for the role amid calls for faster parliamentary processes. The vacancy arose after Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka became public protector.
Members of Parliament voiced strong concerns about the prolonged parliamentary procedures that delayed the recommendation and adoption of a new deputy public protector. The National Assembly finally adopted the Justice and Constitutional Portfolio Committee's recommendation for Advocate Dinkie Dube to fill the position on Thursday.
The office has operated without a deputy for almost two years, a gap that began when Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka was appointed as public protector. This delay stemmed in part from slow parliamentary processes during the seventh administration.
Although most members supported the appointment, several MPs highlighted the excessive time taken to resolve the matter. Democratic Alliance MP Damian Klopper stated, “This serves as a stark reminder, delay in appointment is delay in accountability. South Africa deserves quicker more effective action from Parliament.”
Rise Mzansi MP Makashule Gana echoed these sentiments, saying, “We need to speed up on some of these appointments, so we don’t leave a void in these Chapter 9 institutions.”
In response, National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza noted that her office and the House chairperson had repeatedly urged the Justice Portfolio Committee to expedite the process. She added, “I just want to say for all members of that committee, we need to reflect why this process took us so long, especially in 7th administration.”
The appointment aims to restore full functionality to the public protector's office, which plays a key role in upholding accountability in South Africa.